The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-23
All There Is To It.

1t is to be regretted that there is so
much feeling on the part of some ex-
union soldiers against the South. There
is no generosity in forever holding the
cudgel of hate over great and pros
porous section of our country. The
war closed almost a quarter of CEN
fury ago, and it is high time that all
such feelings should be done away with.
The manly eX-soldier, who does not
allow the unholy fires of partisan preju-
dice to consume his vitals, is not all the
time looking out for an occasion which
can be twisted into an excuse for the
wholesale Outpouring of abuse on a
prospecting people, who are just
now thinking more Of developing
their resources than they are
of the ashes of past war.
These remarks are occasioned by the
action of different Grand Army Posts
over reported order made by Presi-
dent Cleveland to return to the south
ern states the confederate flags which
had been captured during the war.
There was no disposition to inquire
fully into the case, but Immediately
the politicians who seemed determined
to disrupt the G. A. r. organization,
rushed to the front with the most vio-
lent and unbecoming language.
AS matter of fact, when the war
department first recommended return
of the confederate flags, President
Cleveland questioned not only the pro-
priety, but the legality of the act. Be-
ing assured that it was legal and de-
sirahle he gave his oral consent. Later
he investigated the law himself and
gave orders that the flags must remain
uDdisturbed. Ii. any ex-union soldier
is not controlled too much by prejudice
to read the following, he will see what
injustice he heaped upon Cleveland:
''When the question was proposed to
the President by the adjutant general
an important feature suggested was the
return to the loyal states of the flags,
which had been captured by the Con-
federates and retaken by our army at the
time of the collapse of the rebellion.
They, with such Confederate flags as
had been captured from the enemy by
our troops, had, it was represented, for
a long time, lain uncared for and neg
lected, packed away in boxes in the
cellar OF the war department, and had
been removed TO the attic. as better
place for their safe keeping The dis
position of the flags. which seemed to
be answering no good purpose where
they were, was the main point, and
the consideration was presented to the
President that some flags had been re-
turned to the loyal states upon their re-
quest in individual cases, and the rest.
If desired, might be returned together.
The return Of the Confederate flags,
which are with the others in the de-
partment, was suggested, but there
was not the slightest thought of inter-
fering In any way with the captured flags
now held by any state. The fact is
apparently received with favor by the
country, that lately, in one or more
cases, Northern troops visited their
late antagonists in the South. had re-
turned to them flags which had been
captured in battle from those whose
hospitality they were receiving: the
further fact that Northern troops. who
have been visiting Southern battle
fields, had spoken in the warmest terms
of the kind and hospitable treatment
they rad received from the former
Confederate soldiers, and the fact
too, that soldiers from the North and
South were lust gathering in Washing
ton to meet in friendly competition at |
the national drill, seem to indicate that
if the Union flags were returned to the
loyal states which had lost them in |
battle. it would not be inconsistent |
with the fraternal sentiment which |
seemed to be prevalent, to offer at the
same time to the Governors of the
states formerly in rebellion, a return of
the flags we had taken from their
soldiers. The right of the department
to make these returns being questioned
by the President, such right was dis
tlnctly asserted and precedents alleged.
and thereupon his oral assent was given
to the proposed action 49,
The matter was dismissed from his
mind, until comment thereupon within
the last day or SO brought it again to
his attention, whereupon personally ex-
the law and considering the
subject more carefully, he satisfied
himself that no disposition of these
flags could be made without Congress
sional action; whereupon he directed a
'uspRsion of operations by the letter
made 6nhlic this evening .